Biological information management system

ABSTRACT

A healthcare professional terminal  90  creates a question message based on an input operation of a healthcare professional, and transmits the question message to a game apparatus  12 . The game apparatus  12  creates, based on an input operation of a healthcare recipient, an answer message including an answer to a question contained in the question message received from the healthcare professional terminal  90 , and transmits the answer message to the healthcare professional terminal  90  together with automatically obtained biological information (weight data, exercise time data, and step count data) of the healthcare recipient.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-334795, filed onDec. 26, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a biological information managementsystem, and in particular, to a biological information management systemincluding a first information processing apparatus and a secondinformation processing apparatus capable of communicating with the firstinformation processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Background Art

Conventionally, there is a system that transmits biological information,obtained by an apparatus, to another apparatus. For example, JapanesePatent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-118339 discloses a system in whicha pedometer counts the number of steps taken, a mobile phone isconnected to the pedometer to obtain step count data, and the step countdata is transmitted from the mobile phone to a server through theInternet. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H11-151211discloses a system in which a terminal apparatus obtains data ofbloodpressures, body temperatures, and weights, which are measured byhealth measuring instruments, and transmits the data to a centerapparatus through a public line.

However, the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open PublicationNo. 2004-118339 has a problem that it is difficult to accuratelydetermine the condition of a user because any message created by theuser is not transmitted to the server together with the obtained stepcount data.

Further, in the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-openPublication No. H11-151211, the measured data transmitted to theterminal apparatus is transmitted to the center apparatus with automaticdialing once a day, and if the communication fails, the transmissionprocess is repeated until the communication succeeds. However, themeasured data cannot be transmitted at a timing desired by a user, andany message created by the user cannot be transmitted together with themeasured data. Thus, it is impossible to accurately determine thecondition of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a biologicalinformation management system capable of transmitting biologicalinformation together with a message.

The present invention has the following features to attain the objectmentioned above. It is noted that reference characters and the like inparentheses are merely provided to facilitate the understanding of thepresent invention in relation to the drawings, rather than limiting thescope of the present invention in any way.

A biological information management system of the present inventioncomprises a first information processing apparatus (12) and a secondinformation processing apparatus (90) capable of communicating with thefirst information processing apparatus.

The first information processing apparatus includes: biologicalinformation obtaining means (40, S82) for obtaining biologicalinformation; first message creation means (40, S70 to S79) for creatinga first message based on an input operation of an operator of the firstinformation processing apparatus; and first message transmission means(40, S84) for transmitting the biological information obtained by thebiological information obtaining means and the first message created bythe first message creation means to the second information processingapparatus,

The second information processing apparatus includes: first messagereception means (S141) for receiving the biological information and thefirst message from the first information processing apparatus; andstorage means (S142) for storing the biological information and thefirst message which are received by the first message reception means.

Thus, it is possible for an operator of the second informationprocessing apparatus to know the condition of the operator of the firstinformation processing apparatus because the biological information ofthe operator can be transmitted together with the message created by theoperator of the first information processing apparatus.

Here, the “biological information” may include information regarding abody, such as weight, body fat percentage, and the like; informationregarding exercise, such as the number of steps taken, exercise time,and the like; and information regarding vital signs, such as bloodpressure, body temperature, heart rate, and the like.

Further, the “first information processing apparatus” and the “secondinformation processing apparatus” may be arbitrary informationprocessing apparatuses, and, for example, may be stationary gameapparatuses, hand-held game apparatuses, mobile phones, personalcomputers, PDAs, and the like.

Further, the “first message” is not limited to a message including onlycharacters, but may be a message including choices, or a messageincluding a character input section or a numeric input section.

Upon receiving a transmission instruction of the first message from theoperator of the first information processing apparatus, the firstmessage transmission means may automatically obtain the biologicalinformation by the biological information obtaining means and maytransmit the obtained biological information together with the firstmessage to the second information processing apparatus.

Thus, when the operator of the first information processing apparatustransmits the message, inputting of the biological information isomitted, and the biological information is assuredly transmitted.

The biological information management system may further comprise abiological information measuring apparatus (36, 92) including:biological information measuring means (36 b) for measuring biologicalinformation; and biological information transmission means (106) fortransmitting the biological information measured by the biologicalinformation measuring means to the first information processingapparatus, and the biological information obtaining means may includebiological information reception means (50) for receiving the biologicalinformation from the biological information measuring apparatus.

Thus, the operator of the first information processing apparatus cancarry only the biological information measuring means to a desired placewhere biological information is to be measured.

Here, the “biological information measuring means” may include aweighing apparatus, a pedometer, a blood-pressure gauge, a clinicalthermometer, and the like.

Further, the communication between the “first information processingapparatus” and the “biological information measuring means” may be wireor wireless communication. Further, its communication method isarbitrary. For example, it may be the Bluetooth (registered trademark),infrared communication, or another wireless communication method.Further, the communication may be performed through a publiccommunication line such as the Internet and the like, or through a localnetwork. Further, the communication may be performed not through acommunication cable.

Further, the biological information obtaining means may includebiological information measuring means for measuring biologicalinformation.

Thus, it is easy to obtain the biological information because the firstinformation processing apparatus includes the biological informationmeasuring means.

Further, the biological information measuring means may measure aweight, or counts the number of steps taken, as the biologicalinformation.

Further, the first information processing apparatus may also includeprocess means (40, S21) for executing a process using the biologicalinformation measuring means, and process time counting means (40, S22)for counting a time of the process executed by the processing means; andthe biological information obtaining means may also obtain the timecounted by the process time counting means.

Thus, the time, for which the operator of the first informationprocessing apparatus uses the biological information measuring means,can be transmitted as the biological information to the secondinformation processing apparatus.

Further, the first information processing apparatus may also includestorage means (40) for storing the biological information obtained bythe biological information obtaining means and measurement dateinformation of the biological information, and the first messagetransmission means may refer to the measurement date information and maytransmit biological information of a predetermined period.

Thus, it is possible for the operator of the second informationprocessing apparatus to have knowledge of the transition of thebiological information, of the operator of the first informationprocessing apparatus, for the predetermined period.

Further, the first message transmission means may transmit thebiological information and the first message as one file to the secondinformation processing apparatus.

Thus, it becomes easy to manage data at the second informationprocessing apparatus.

Further, the second information processing apparatus may also include:second message creation means (S30 to S38) for creating a second messagebased on an input operation of an operation of the second informationprocessing apparatus; and second message transmission means (S41) fortransmitting the second message created by the second message creationmeans to the first information processing apparatus, the firstinformation processing apparatus may also include second messagereception means (50) for receiving the second message from the secondinformation processing apparatus, and the first message creation meansmay create the first message based on the second message received by thesecond message reception means.

Thus, it becomes possible to exchange detailed information between theoperator of the first information processing apparatus and the operatorof the second information processing apparatus because the firstinformation processing apparatus creates the first message based on thesecond message transmitted from the second information processingapparatus, and transmits the first message together with the biologicalinformation to the second information processing apparatus.

The “second message” is not limited to a message including onlycharacters, but may be a message including choices, or a messageincluding a character input section or a numeric input section.

Further, the second message may be a question message, the firstinformation processing apparatus may also include question executionmeans (40, S90, S100, S110) for executing a question based on thequestion message received by the second message reception means, and thefirst message creation means may create, as the first message, an answermessage to the question executed by the question execution means.

Thus, it becomes possible to exchange on-target information between theoperator of the first information processing apparatus and the operatorof the second information processing apparatus because the firstinformation processing apparatus creates the answer message to thequestion message transmitted from the second information processingapparatus, and transmits the answer message to the second informationprocessing apparatus.

A computer-readable storage medium (44) of the present invention storesa computer program (AP1) for a biological information management systemcomprising a first information processing apparatus (12) and a secondinformation processing apparatus (90) capable of communicating with thefirst information processing apparatus.

The computer program causes a computer (40) of the first informationprocessing apparatus to function as: biological information obtainingmeans (S82) for obtaining biological information; first message creationmeans (S70 to S79) for creating a first message based on an inputoperation of an operator of the first information processing apparatus;and first message transmission means (S84) for transmitting thebiological information obtained by the biological information obtainingmeans and the first message created by the first message creation meansto the second information processing apparatus.

An information processing apparatus of the present invention is used asa first information processing apparatus (12) in a biologicalinformation management system comprising the first informationprocessing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus (90)capable of communicating with the first information processingapparatus. The information processing apparatus comprises: biologicalinformation obtaining means (40, S82) for obtaining biologicalinformation; first message creation means (40, S70 to S79) for creatinga first message based on an input operation of an operator of the firstinformation processing apparatus; and first message transmission means(40, S84) for transmitting the biological information obtained by thebiological information obtaining means and the first message created bythe first message creation means to the second information processingapparatus.

A health guidance support system of the present invention is a healthguidance support system for a healthcare professional to perform healthguidance for a healthcare recipient. The health guidance support systemcomprises: a healthcare professional terminal (90) operated by thehealthcare professional; and a healthcare recipient terminal (12)operated by the healthcare recipient and capable of communicating withthe healthcare professional terminal.

The healthcare professional terminal includes: question message creationmeans (S30 to S38) for creating a question message in accordance with aninput operation of the healthcare professional; and question messagetransmission means (S41) for transmitting the question message from thehealthcare professional terminal to the healthcare recipient terminal.

the healthcare recipient terminal includes: question message receptionmeans (50) for receiving the question message from the healthcareprofessional terminal; question message displaying means (40, 34, S90,S100, S110) for displaying the received question message to thehealthcare recipient; answer message creation means (40, S70 to S79) forcreating an answer message to the question message in accordance with aninput operation of the healthcare recipient; and answer messagetransmission means (40, S84) for, upon receiving a transmissioninstruction from the healthcare recipient, automatically obtainingbiological information (weight data, exercise time data, step countdata) regarding health of the healthcare recipient from a storage unit(44) that is provided in or connected to the healthcare recipientterminal, and transmitting the biological information together with thecreated answer message to the healthcare professional terminal.

The healthcare professional terminal further includes: answer messagereception means (S141) for receiving the answer message together withthe biological information from the healthcare recipient terminal; andanswer message displaying means (S145) for displaying the receivedanswer message and the biological information to the healthcareprofessional.

Thus, when the healthcare recipient transmits the answer message,inputting of the biological information is omitted, and the biologicalinformation is assuredly transmitted. In addition, because thehealthcare professional can fully confirm the biological informationrequired for health guidance, the healthcare professional can properlyand efficiently perform health guidance.

The healthcare recipient terminal may be a game apparatus; and theanswer message transmission means may obtain the biological informationregarding the health of the healthcare recipient from saved data (D2,D3) of a game executed previously in the healthcare recipient terminal.

Thus, the game apparatus can be used for health guidance, and the userof the game apparatus can readily take health guidance. In addition,because the biological information is obtained from the saved data ofthe game executed previously in the game apparatus, inputting of thebiological information by the user is omitted.

According to the present invention, a biological information managementsystem capable of transmitting biological information together with amessage can be provided.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a game system according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electricalconfiguration of the game system;

FIGS. 3A-3E are external views of a controller;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of an electricalconfiguration of the controller;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a load controller;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the load controller taken along theVI-VI line in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of an electricalconfiguration of the load controller;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state when a game is played by using thecontroller and the load controller;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating viewing angles of marker sections and thecontroller;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a taken image including targetimages;

FIG. 11 is a view showing an outline of a health guidance supportsystem;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a flow of biological information (weight data,exercise time data, and step count data);

FIG. 13 is a view showing information stored in a flash memory;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a weight measuringprocess executed by the game apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a procedure of an exercise timemeasuring process executed by the game apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a question processexecuted by a healthcare professional terminal;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a main process executedby the game apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a procedure of an answer processexecuted by the game apparatus;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a multiple-choice answerprocess executed by the game apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a character-input-typeanswer process executed by the game apparatus;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a numerical input answerprocess executed by the game apparatus;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a message display processexecuted by the game apparatus;

FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of a menu display screen;

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a message display screen;

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of a multiple-choice answer screen;

FIG. 26 is a view showing an example of a character-input-type answerscreen;

FIG. 27 is a view showing an example of a numeric-input-type answerscreen;

FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a sending confirmation screen;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a step count datareception process executed by the game apparatus; and

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing a procedure of an answer receptionprocess executed by the healthcare professional terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following will describe an embodiment of the present invention withreference to the drawings.

(Game System)

First, a game system used in the present embodiment will be described.As shown in FIG. 1, a game system 10 includes a video game apparatus(hereinafter, referred to merely as “game apparatus”) 12, a controller22, and a load controller 36. Although not shown in the drawings, thegame apparatus 12 of the present embodiment is designed so as to becapable of communicating with four controllers (22, 36). The gameapparatus 12 is connected to each controller (22, 36) wirelessly. Forexample, the wireless communication is performed in accordance with theBluetooth standard, but may be performed in accordance with anotherstandard of infrared communication, a wireless LAN, or the like.

The game apparatus 12 includes a parallelepiped-shaped housing 14provided with a disc slot 16 on a front surface thereof. Through thedisc slot 16, an optical disc 18, which is an example of an informationstorage medium storing a game program and the like, is inserted, andmounted to a disc drive 54 (see FIG. 2) in the housing 14. Around thedisc slot 16, an LED and a light guide plate are arranged, and the LEDis capable of being lit in response to various processes.

Further, on an upper portion of the front surface of the housing 14 ofthe game apparatus 12, a power button 20 a and a reset button 20 b areprovided, and on a lower portion thereof, an eject button 20 c isprovided. In addition, an external memory card connector cover 28 isprovided between the reset button 20 b and the eject button 20 c andadjacent to the disc slot 16. Inside the external memory card connectorcover 28, an external memory card connector 62 (see FIG. 2) is provided,and an external memory card (not shown; hereinafter, referred to merelyas “memory card”) is inserted into the external memory card connector62. The memory card is used for loading and temporally storing the gameprogram and the like read out from the optical disc 18, and for storing(saving) game data (result data or midstream data of a game) of the gameplayed using the game system 10. However, the game data may be stored inan internal memory such as a flash memory 44 (see FIG. 2) provided inthe game apparatus 12, instead of the memory card. Further, the memorycard may be used as a backup memory for the internal memory.

As the memory card, a general-purpose SD card can be used, but othergeneral-purpose memory cards such as a memory stick and a Multi-MediaCard (registered trademark) can be used.

On a rear surface of the housing 14 of the game apparatus 12, an AVconnector 58 (see FIG. 2) is provided, and a monitor 34 and speakers 34a are connected to the game apparatus 12 through an AV cable 32 a bymeans of the AV connector 58. The monitor 34 and the speakers 34 atypically constitute a color television receiver, and a video signal andan audio signal from the game apparatus 12 are inputted to a video inputterminal and an audio input terminal, respectively, of the colortelevision receiver through the AV cable 32 a. Thus, a game image of athree-dimensional (3D) video game is displayed on the screen of thecolor television receiver (monitor) 34, and stereo game sound such asgame music, effect sound, and the like is outputted from both speakers34 a. Further, a marker section 34 b including infrared LEDs (markers)340 m and 340 n is provided adjacent to the monitor 34 (on the upperside of the monitor 34 in the present embodiment). The marker section 34b is connected to the game apparatus 12 through a power cable 32 b.Thus, electric power is supplied from the game apparatus 12 to themarker section 34 b. Whereby, the markers 340 m and 340 n emit infraredlight forward from the monitor 34.

The electric power is supplied to the game apparatus 12 through ageneral AC adapter (not shown). The AC adapter is inserted into ahousehold standard wall socket, and the game apparatus 12 convertshousehold power (commercial power) into a low DC-voltage signal that issuitable for driving the game apparatus 12. In an alternativeembodiment, a battery may be used as a power source.

In the game system 10, in order for a user or a player to play a game(it is not limited thereto, and may be another application), the userturns on the game apparatus 12, and then selects an appropriate opticaldisc 18 storing the video game (or the other application that the userdesires to play), and the optical disc 18 is loaded onto the disc drive54 of the game apparatus 12. Accordingly, the game apparatus 12 startsto execute the video game or the other application based on a programstored in the optical disc 18. The user operates the controller 22 forperforming an input to the game apparatus 12. For example, by operatingany one of input means 26, the use starts the game or the otherapplication. Further, in addition to operating the input means 26, bymoving the controller 22, an image object (player object) can be movedin a different direction, or a viewpoint (camera position) of the userin a 3D game world can be changed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a gamesystem 10 of the present embodiment in FIG. 1. Although not shown in thedrawings, each component in the housing 14 is mounted on a printedcircuit board. As shown in FIG. 2, the game apparatus 12 is providedwith a CPU 40. The CPU 40 functions as a game processor. The CPU 40 isconnected to a system LSI 42. The system LSI 42 is connected to anexternal main memory 46, a ROM/RTC 48, the disc drive 54, and an AVICS56.

The external main memory 46 stores a program, such as a game program andthe like, and various data, and is used as a work region and a bufferregion for the CPU 40. The ROM/RTC 48 includes a ROM (so-called bootROM) that stores a program for starting up the game apparatus 12; and aclock circuit for counting time. The disc drive 54 reads program dataand texture data from the optical disc 18, and writes these data into alater-described internal main memory 42 e or the external main memory 46under the control of the CPU 40.

The system LSI 42 is provided with an input-output processor (I/Oprocess) 42 a, a GPU (Graphics Processor Unit) 42 b, a DSP (DigitalSignal Processor) 42 c, a VRAM 42 d, and the internal main memory 42 e.Although not shown in the drawings, these components are connected toeach other through an internal bus.

The input-output processor 42 a performs transmission and reception ofdata to and from each component connected to the input-output processor42 a, and downloads data. The transmission and reception of data and thedownload of data will be described in detail later.

The GPU 42 b forms a part of drawing means, receives a graphics command(command for generating graphics) from the CPU 40, and generates animage according to the graphics command. In addition to the graphicscommand, the CPU 40 provides the GPU 42 b with an image generationprogram required for generating game image data.

Although not shown in the drawings, the VRAM 42 d is connected to theCPU 42 b as described above. Prior to executing the graphics command,the CPU 42 b accesses the VRAM 42 d and obtains required data (imagedata: data such as polygon data, texture data, and the like). The CPU 40writes image data, required for drawing an image, into the VRAM 42 dthrough the CPU 42 b. The CPU 42 b accesses the VRAM 42 d and generatesgame image data for drawing an image.

The present embodiment describes a case where the GPU 42 b generatesgame image data. However, in a case of executing an arbitraryapplication other than the game application, the GPU 42 b generatesimage data for the arbitrary application.

Further, the DSP 42 c functions as an audio processor, and generatesaudio data, which correspond to sound, voice, and music outputted fromthe speakers 34 a, by using sound data and sound waveform (tone color)data which are stored in the internal main memory 42 e and the externalmain memory 46.

The image data and the audio data generated thus are read by the AVIC56. The AVIC 56 outputs the image data and the audio data to the monitor34 and the speakers 34 a, respectively, through the AV connector 58.Thus, a game image is displayed on the monitor 34, and sound (music)required for the game is outputted from the speakers 34 a.

Further, the input-output processor 42 a is connected to a flash memory44, a wireless communication module 50, a wireless controller module 52,an extension connector 60, and the external memory card connector 62.The wireless communication module 50 is connected to an antenna 50 a,and the wireless controller module 52 is connected to an antenna 52 a.

The input-output processor 42 a is capable of communicating with anothergame apparatus connected to a network and various servers connected tothe network, through the wireless communication module 50. However, theinput-output processor 42 a is capable of communicating directly withthe other game apparatus, not through the network. The input-outputprocessor 42 a periodically accesses the flash memory 44 to detectwhether or not there is data (referred to as transmission data) requiredto be transmitted to the network. If there is the transmission data, theinput-output processor 42 a transmits the transmission data to thenetwork through the wireless communication module 50 and the antenna 50a. The input-output processor 42 a receives data (referred to asreception data) transmitted from the other game apparatus through thenetwork, the antenna 50 a, and the wireless communication module 50, andstores the reception data in the flash memory 44. In a predeterminedcase, the input-output processor 42 a discards the reception data. Inaddition, the input-output processor 42 a receives data downloaded froma download server through the network, the antenna 50 a, and thewireless communication module 50, and stores the downloaded data in theflash memory 44.

Further, the input-output processor 42 a receives input data transmittedfrom the controller 22 and the load controller 36 through the antenna 52a and the wireless controller module 52, and stores (temporarily stores)the input data in the buffer region of the internal main memory 42 e orthe external main memory 46. The input data in the buffer region isdeleted after being used by a game process executed by the CPU 40.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the wireless controllermodule 52 communicates with the controller 22 and the load controller 36in accordance with the Bluetooth standard.

For convenience's sake, the controller 22 and the load controller 36 areshown together as one unit in FIG. 2.

The input-output processor 42 a is connected to the extension connector60 and the external memory card connector 62. The extension connector 60is a connector for an interface such as a USB and an SCSI, and enablesconnection of a medium such as an external storage medium and connectionof a peripheral apparatus such as another controller. Further, insteadof the wireless communication module 50, a wired LAN can be used byconnecting a wired LAN adapter to the extension connector 60. To theexternal memory card connector 62, an external storage medium such as amemory card can be connected. Thus, for example, the input-outputprocessor 42 a is capable of accessing the external storage mediumthrough the extension connector 60 or the external memory card connector62 for storing data in the external storage medium and reading data fromthe external storage medium.

Although not described in detail, the game apparatus 12 (housing 14) isprovided with the power button 20 a, the reset button 20 b, and theeject button 20 c as shown in FIG. 1. The power button 20 a is connectedto the system LSI 42. When the power button 20 a is turned on, electricpower is supplied to each component of the game apparatus 12 through theAC adapter (not shown), and the system LSI 42 becomes a normal energizedmode (referred to as “normal mode”). On the other hand, when the powerbutton 20 a is turned off, electric power is supplied to only somecomponents of the game apparatus 12, and the system LSI 42 sets a mode(hereinafter, referred to as “standby mode”) that minimizes powerconsumption. In the present embodiment, when the standby mode is set,the system LSI 42 performs an instruction to stop supplying electricpower to components other than the input-output processor 42 a, theflash memory 44, the external main memory 46, the ROM/RTC 48, thewireless communication module 50, and the wireless controller module 52.Thus, the standby mode is a mode in which the CPU 40 does not execute anapplication.

Even in the standby mode, electric power is supplied to the system LSI42, but, a supply of electric power to the GPU 42 b, the DSP 42 c, andthe VRAM 42 d is stopped so as not to drive them, thereby reducing thepower consumption.

Further, although not shown in the drawings, a fan is provided in thehousing 14 of the game apparatus 12 for discharging heat of the CPU 40,the system LSI 42, and the like. In the standby mode, the fan isstopped.

When the standby mode is not desired to be used, settings are made so asnot to use the standby mode, whereby a supply of electric power to allthe circuit components is stopped when the power button 20 a is turnedoff.

Further, switching between the normal mode and the standby mode can beperformed by means of remote operation such as by turning on/off a powerswitch 26 h (see FIG. 3) of the controller 22. In the case where theremote operation is not performed, in the standby mode, settings aremade so as not to supply electric power to the wireless controllermodule 52.

The reset button 20 b is also connected to the system LSI 42. When thereset button 20 b is pressed, the system LSI 42 restarts a boot programof the game apparatus 12. The eject button 20 c is connected to the discdrive 54. When the eject button 20 c is pressed, the optical disc 18 isejected from the disc drive 54.

(Controller)

FIGS. 3(A) to 3(E) show an example of the external view of thecontroller 22. FIG. 3(A) shows a front surface of the controller 22,FIG. 3(B) shows a top surface of the controller 22, FIG. 3(C) shows aright side surface of the controller 22, FIG. 3(D) shows a bottomsurface of the controller 22, and FIG. 3(E) shows a rear surface of thecontroller 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3(A) to 3(E), the controller 22 includes a housing 22a that is formed, for example, by plastic molding. The housing 22 a hasa generally parallelepiped shape, and its overall size is small enoughto be held by one hand of the user. On the housing 22 a (controller 22),the input means (a plurality of buttons and switches) 26 are provided.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3(B), a cross key 26 a, a 1 button 26 b,a 2 button 26 c, an A button 26 d, a − button 26 e, a HOME button 26 f,a + button 26 g, and the power switch 26 h are provided on the topsurface of the housing 22 a. As shown in FIGS. 3(C) and 3(D), a slopesurface is formed in the bottom surface of the housing 22 a, and a Btrigger switch 26 i is provided on the slope surface.

The cross key 26 a is a cross-shaped four-direction push switch, andincludes operation portions corresponding to four directions, frontward(or upward), rearward (or downward), rightward, and leftward, indicatedby arrows. By operating any one of the operation portions, the playercan perform an instruction of a direction in which a character or anobject (a player character or a player object) operable by the playermoves, and can perform an instruction of a direction in which a cursormoves.

The 1 button 26 b and the 2 button 26 c are push-button switches. Forexample, the 1 button 26 b and the 2 button 26 c are used for gameoperations, such as adjustment of a viewing position and a viewingdirection, namely, the viewing position and the viewing angle of avirtual camera, when displaying a three-dimensional game image, and thelike. Or, the 1 button 26 b and the 2 button 26 c may be used when thesame operation as the A button 26 d and the B trigger switch 26 i isperformed or an auxiliary operation is performed.

The A button 26 d is a push-button switch, and is used for performing aninstruction, other than a direction instruction, causing the playercharacter or the player object to perform a motion, namely, an arbitraryaction such as hitting (punching), throwing, grabbing (obtaining),riding, jumping, and the like. For example, in an action game, aninstruction for jumping, punching, moving a weapon, and the like can beperformed. Further, in a role-playing game (RPG) or a simulation RPG, aninstruction for obtaining an item, selecting or deciding on a weapon ora command, and the like can be performed.

The − button 26 e, the HOME button 26 f, the + button 26 g, and thepower switch 26 h are also push-button switches. The − button 26 e isused for selecting a game mode. The HOME button 26 f is used fordisplaying a game menu (menu screen). The + button 26 g is used forstarting (restarting) or pausing a game. The power switch 26 h is usedfor turning on/off the game apparatus 12.

In the present embodiment, the controller 22 is not provided with apower switch for turning of/off the controller 22. The controller 22 isturned on by operating any one of the input means 26 of the controller22, and is automatically turned off when the input means 26 are notperformed for a certain time period (e.g. 30 seconds).

The B trigger switch 26 i is also a push-button switch, and is usedmainly for performing an input simulating a trigger for shooting abullet, and for designating a position selected by using the controller22. When the B trigger switch 26 i is continuously pressed, a motion anda parameter of the player object can be maintained in a constant state.In a predetermined case, the B trigger switch 26 i functions similarlyas a normal B button, and is used for canceling an action decided byusing the A button 26 d, and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3(E), an external extension connector 22 b isprovided on the rear surface of the housing 22 a. As shown in FIG. 3(B),an indicator 22 c is provided on the top surface of the housing 22 a andnear the rear surface. The external extension connector 22 b is used forconnecting to an extension controller (not shown). The indicator 22 cconsists of, for example, four LEDs, and any one of the four LEDs can belit for indicating identification information (a controller number) of acontroller 22 corresponding to the lit LED, and one or some of LEDs arelit for indicating the remaining amount of power of the controller 22,which is represented by the number of the lit LEDs.

Further, the controller 22 includes an imaging information calculationsection 80 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3(A), a light opening 22 d forthe imaging information calculation section 80 is provided on the frontsurface of the housing 22 a. The controller 22 also includes a speaker86 (see FIG. 4) that is provided in the housing 22 a in correspondingrelation to sound holes 22 e that are provided in the top surface of thehousing 22 a and between the 1 button 26 b and the HOME button 26 f asshown in FIG. 3(B).

The shapes of the controller 22, and the shapes, the number, and theinstallation positions of the input means 26 as shown in FIGS. 3(A) to3(E) are merely an example, and the present invention can be achievedwith other shapes, other numbers, and other installation positions.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of thecontroller 22. Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 22 includes aprocessor 70 that is connected to the external extension connector 22 b,the input means 26, a memory 72, an acceleration sensor 74, a wirelessmodule 76, the imaging information calculation section 80, an LED 82(the indicator 22 c), a vibrator 84, the speaker 86, and a power circuit88 through an internal bus (not shown). The wireless module 76 isconnected to an antenna 78.

The processor 70 conducts the entire control of the controller 22, andtransmits (inputs) information (input information) inputted by the inputmeans 26, the acceleration sensor 74, and the imaging informationcalculation section 80, as input data, to the game apparatus 12 throughthe wireless module 76 and the antenna 78. At this time, the processor70 uses the memory 72 as a work region and a buffer region.

Operation signals (operation data) from the aforementioned input means26 (26 a-26 i) are inputted to the processor 70, and the processor 70stores once the operation data in the memory 72.

The acceleration sensor 74 detects acceleration in three directions,i.e., a vertical direction (y axis), a horizontal direction (x axis),and a front-rear direction (z axis). The acceleration sensor 74 istypically an electrostatic capacitance type acceleration sensor, but maybe of another type.

For example, the acceleration sensor 74 detects acceleration (ax, ay,az) along x axis, y axis, and z axis every first predetermined timeperiod, and inputs data (acceleration data) of the detected accelerationto the processor 70. For example, the acceleration sensor 74 detectsacceleration in each axial direction in a range between −2.0 g to 2.0 g(g denotes the gravitational acceleration; hereinafter, it is the same).The processor 70 detects the acceleration data, provided by theacceleration sensor 74, every second predetermined time period, andstores once the acceleration data in the memory 72. The processor 70generates input data including at least one of the operation data, theacceleration data, and later-described marker coordinate data, andtransmits the generated input data to the game apparatus 12 every thirdpredetermined time period (e.g. 5 msec).

Although not shown in FIGS. 3(A) to 3(E) in the present embodiment, theacceleration sensor 74 is provided on a substrate in the housing 22 aand near the cross key 26 a.

By using, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) technology,the wireless module 76 modulates a carrier wave of a predeterminedfrequency with the operation data and radiates the resultant weak radiosignal from the antenna 78. In other words, the input data is modulatedby the wireless module 76 into the weak radio signal and transmittedfrom the antenna 78 (controller 22). The weak radio signal is receivedby the wireless controller module 52 provided in the aforementioned gameapparatus 12. The received weak radio signal is demodulated and decoded,and thus the game apparatus 12 (CPU 40) can obtain the input data fromthe controller 22. Then, the CPU 40 performs the game process inaccordance with the obtained input data and a program (game program).

Further, as described above, the controller 22 is provided with theimaging information calculation section 80. The imaging informationcalculation section 80 includes an infrared filter 80 a, a lens 80 b, animage pickup element 80 c, and an image processing circuit 80 d. Theinfrared filter 80 a allows, among light incident on the front surfaceof the controller 22, only infrared light to pass therethrough. Asdescribed above, the markers 340 m and 340 n located adjacent to thedisplay screen of the monitor 34 are infrared LEDS that emit infraredlight forward from the monitor 34. Thus, images of the markers 340 m and340 n can be accurately taken by providing the infrared filter 80 a. Thelens 80 b converges the infrared light that has passed through theinfrared filter 80 a, and outputs the infrared light to the image pickupelement 80 c. The image pickup element 80 c is a solid-state imagepickup element such as a CMOS sensor and a CCD. The image pickup element80 c takes an image of the infrared light collected by the lens 80 b. Inother words, the image pickup element 80 c takes an image of only theinfrared light that has passed through the infrared filter 80 c. Then,the image pickup element 80 c generates image data of the image.Hereinafter, an image taken by the image pickup element 80 c is referredto as a taken image. The image data generated by the image pickupelement 80 c is processed by the image processing circuit 80 d. Theimage processing circuit 80 d calculates the position of a target (themarkers 340 m and 340 n) whose image is to be taken, and outputs eachcoordinate value, representing the position, as imaging data to theprocessor 70 every fourth predetermined time period. The processing bythe image processing circuit 80 d will be described later.

(Load Controller)

FIG. 5 is a perspective external view of the load controller 36 shown inFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the load controller 36 includes a stand 36 aon which the player stands (on which the player puts his or her feet),and four load sensors 36 b for detecting a load exerted on the stand 36a. Each load sensor 36 b is contained in the stand 36 a (see FIG. 7),and their locations are shown by dotted lines in FIG. 5.

The stand 36 a is formed in a generally parallelepiped shape, and has agenerally rectangular shape in top view. For example, the short side ofthe rectangle is set to about 30 cm, and the long side thereof is set toabout 50 cm. The stand 36 a has a flat top surface on which the playerstands. The stand 36 a has at four corners thereof side surfaces thatare formed so as to partially project to have a cylindrical shape.

In the stand 36 a, the four load sensors 36 b are disposed atpredetermined intervals. In the present embodiment, the four loadsensors 36 b are disposed at the periphery of the stand 36 a,specifically, at the four corners thereof, respectively. The intervalsamong the load sensors 36 b are set appropriately such that the loadsensors 36 b can accurately detect the intention of a game operationwhich is expressed by a manner of exerting a load on the stand 36 a bythe player.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the load controller 36 takenalong the VI-VI line in FIG. 5 and an enlarged view of a portion of theload controller 36 where the load sensor 36 b is disposed. As is clearfrom FIG. 6, the stand 36 a includes a support plate 360 on which theplayer stands, and legs 362. The legs 362 are provided at the positionswhere the load sensors 36 b are disposed. In the present embodiment,because the four load sensors 36 b are respectively disposed at the fourcorners, four legs 362 are provided. The legs 362 are formed in agenerally cylindrical shape with a bottom, for example, by plasticmolding. The load sensors 36 b are respectively disposed onhemispherical parts 362 a provided on the bottom surfaces in the legs362. The support plate 360 is supported by the legs 362 through the loadsensors 36 b.

The support plate 360 includes an upper plate 360 a that forms the topsurface and a side surface upper portion, a lower plate 360 b that formsa bottom surface and a side surface lower portion, and a mid plate 360 cprovided between the upper plate 360 a and the lower plate 360 b. Theupper plate 360 a and the lower plate 360 b are formed, for example, byplastic molding, and integrated with each other by means of adhesion.The mid plate 360 c is formed, for example, from one metallic plate bypress molding. The mid plate 360 c is fixed on the four load sensors 36b. The upper plate 360 a has a grid-shaped rib (not shown) on the lowersurface thereof, and is supported on the mid plate 360 c through therib. Thus, when the player stands on the stand 36 a, the load istransmitted through the support plate 360, the load sensors 36 b, andthe legs 362. As shown by arrows in FIG. 6, the reaction from a floor,occurring by the exerted load, is transmitted to the upper plate 360 athrough the legs 362, the hemispherical parts 362 a, the load sensors 36b, and the mid plate 360 c.

The load sensors 36 b are load converters that convert inputted loadsinto electric signals, for example, strain gauges (strain sensors) typeload cells. In each load sensor 36 b, according to the inputted load, astrain-generating body 370 a deforms to generate strain. The strain isconverted into a change of electric resistance by a strain sensor 370 battached to the strain-generating body 370 a, and further converted intoa voltage change. Thus, each load sensor 36 b outputs a voltage signalindicative of the inputted load, from its output terminal.

Each load sensor 36 b may be a load sensor of another type, such as atuning fork vibration type, a string vibration type, an electrostaticcapacitance type, a piezoelectric type, a magnetic strain type, and agyro type.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the load controller 36 is provided with apower button 36 c. When the power button 36 c is turned on, electricpower is supplied to each circuit component (see FIG. 7) of the loadcontroller 36. It is noted that the load controller 36 may be turned onin accordance with an instruction from the game apparatus 12. When astate where the player does not stand on the load controller 36continues for a certain time period (e.g. 30 seconds), the loadcontroller 36 is turned off. However, when the power button 36 c ispressed in a state where the load controller 36 is on, the loadcontroller 36 may be turned off.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of an electricalconfiguration of the load controller 36. In FIG. 7, flows of signals andcommunication are indicated by solid arrows. Dotted arrows indicatesupply of electric power.

The load controller 36 includes a microcomputer 100 for controlling theoperation of the load controller 36. The microcomputer 100 includes aCPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, which are not shown in the drawings.The CPU controls the operation of the load controller 36 in accordancewith a program stored in the ROM.

The microcomputer 100 is connected to the power button 36 c, an ADconverter 102, a DC-DC converter 104, and a wireless module 106. Thewireless module 106 is connected to an antenna 106 a. The four loadsensors 36 b are shown as load cells 36 b in FIG. 3. The four loadsensors 36 b are connected to the AD converter 102 through respectiveamplifiers 108.

Further, a battery 110 is contained in the load controller 36 forsupplying electric power. In an alternative embodiment, instead of thebattery, an AC adapter may be connected to the load controller 36 forsupplying commercial power thereto. In this case, instead of the DC-DCconverter, a power circuit, which converts alternating current intodirect current and lowers and rectifies a direct current voltage, needsto be provided. In the present embodiment, electric power is supplieddirectly from the battery to the microcomputer 100 and the wirelessmodule 106. In other words, the electric power is always supplied to thewireless module 106 and some components (the CPU) in the microcomputer100 to detect whether or not the power button 36 c is turned on andwhether or not a command for turning on the power (load detection) istransmitted from the game apparatus 12. Meanwhile, the electric power issupplied from the battery 110 through the DC-DC converter 104 to theload sensors 36 b, the AD converter 102, the amplifiers 108, and thebattery 110. The DC-DC converter 104 converts a voltage value of directcurrent from the battery 110 into a different voltage value, andprovides the resultant direct current to the load sensors 36 b, the ADconverter 102, and the amplifiers 108.

A supply of electric power to the load sensors 36 b, the AD converter102, and the amplifiers 108 may be conducted according to need bycontrolling the DC-DC converter 104 by the microcomputer 100. In otherwords, when it is determined that the load sensors 36 b need to beactivated to detect loads, the microcomputer 100 may control the DC-DCconverter 104 so as to supply electric power to the load sensors 36 b,the AD converter 102, and the amplifiers 108.

When the electric power is supplied, each load sensor 36 b outputs asignal indicative of the inputted load. The signal is amplified by thecorresponding amplifier 108, converted from the analog signal intodigital data by the AD converter 102, and inputted to the microcomputer100. Identification information of each load sensor 36 bA is assigned toa detection value of each load sensor 36 b such that it is possible toidentify by which load sensor 36 b the detection value is detected. Asdescribed above, the microcomputer 100 can obtain data indicative ofeach load detection value of the four load sensors 36 b at the sametime.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the load sensors 36 b donot need to be activated, namely, that it is not a timing of loaddetection, the microcomputer 100 controls the DC-DC converter 104 so asto stop the supply of electric power to the load sensors 36 b, the ADconverter 102, and the amplifiers 108. As described above, in the loadcontroller 36, because the load sensors 36 b are activated to detectloads only when necessary, power consumption for load detection can bereduced.

A time when load detection is needed is typically a time when the gameapparatus 12 (see FIG. 1) desires to obtain load data. For example, whenthe game apparatus 12 requires load information, the game apparatus 12transmits a load obtaining command to the load controller 36. Uponreceiving the load obtaining command from the game apparatus 12, themicrocomputer 100 controls the DC-DC converter 104 so as to supplyelectric power to the load sensors 36 b and the like for detectingloads. On the other hand, when not receiving a load obtaining commandfrom the game apparatus 12, the microcomputer 100 controls the DC-DCconverter 104 so as to stop the supply of electric power.

Alternatively, the microcomputer 100 may determine a timing of loaddetection every constant time period, and control the DC-DC converter104. When such periodical load detection is conducted, informationregarding the constant time period may be initially provided from thegame apparatus 12 to the microcomputer 100 of the load controller 36 andstored therein, or may be stored in the microcomputer 100 in advance.

Data indicative of the detection values from the load sensors 36 b istransmitted as operation data (input data) of the load controller 36from the microcomputer 100 to the game apparatus 12 (see FIG. 1) throughthe wireless module 106 and the antenna 106 b. For example, in the caseof performing load detection according to a command from the gameapparatus 12, when the microcomputer 100 receives the detection valuedata of the load sensors 36 b from the AD converter 102, themicrocomputer 100 transmits the detection value data to the gameapparatus 12. Alternatively, the microcomputer 100 may transmit thedetection value data to the game apparatus 12 every constant timeperiod. When the interval of the load detection is longer than theinterval of the transmission, data including load values detected at aplurality of detection timings until a transmission timing istransmitted.

It is noted that the wireless module 106 is set so as to performcommunication according to the same wireless standard (the Bluetooth, awireless LAN, and the like) as that for the wireless controller module52 of the game apparatus 12. Thus, the CPU 40 of the game apparatus 12is capable of transmitting a load obtaining command to the loadcontroller 36 through the wireless controller module 52 and the like.The microcomputer 100 of the load controller 36 is capable of receivingthe command from the game apparatus 12 through the wireless module 106and the antenna 106 a, and transmitting input data including a loaddetection value (or a load calculation value) of each load sensor 36 bto the game apparatus 12.

In the case of a game executed based on the total of four load valuesdetected by the four load sensors 36 b, the player can stand at anyposition on the load controller 36 with respect to the four load sensors36 b, in other words, the player can play the game while standing at anyposition on the stand 36 a and in any facing direction. However,depending on types of games, a process need to be executed whileidentifying which direction a load value detected by each load sensor 36b comes from with respect to the player, namely, it is necessary to knowthe positional relation between the four load sensors 36 b of the loadcontroller 36 and the player. In this case, for example, a positionalrelation between the four load sensors 36 b and the player may bedefined in advance, and it may be postulated that the player stands onthe stand 36 a so as to meet this predetermined positional relation.Typically, a positional relation in which two load sensors 36 b arepresent on each of right and left sides or each of front and rear sidesof the player standing at the center of the stand 36 a, namely, apositional relation in which, when the player stands at the center ofthe stand 36 a of the load controller 36, the load sensors 36 b arepresent in the front right direction, the front left direction, the rearright direction, and the rear left direction from the player,respectively, is defined. In this case, in the present embodiment,because the stand 36 a of the load controller 36 is formed in arectangular shape in plan view and the power button 36 c is provided atone side (long side) of the rectangle, it is defined in advance, usingthe power button 36 c as a mark, that the player stands on the stand 36a such that the long side at which the power button 36 c is provided ispresent in a predetermined direction (front, rear, left, or right) fromthe player. By doing so, a load value detected by each load sensor 36 bbecomes a load value in a predetermined direction (right front, leftfront, right rear, and left rear) from the player. Thus, the loadcontroller 36 and the game apparatus 12 can identify which directionfrom the player each load detection value corresponds to, based on theidentification information of each load sensor 36 b which is included inthe load detection value data and preset (prestored) position dataindicative of a direction from the player to each load sensor 36 b.Accordingly, it is possible to know the intention of a game operation,such as operation directions of front, rear, left, and right, which isexpressed by the player.

The position of each load sensor 36 b with respect to the player may notbe defined in advance, and may be set by an input performed by theplayer at initial setting or at setting during a game. For example, thepositional relation of each load sensor 36 b with respect to the playercan be specified by displaying an image for instructing the player tostand on a portion present in a predetermined direction (left front,right front, left rear, or right rear) from the player is displayed; andobtaining load values. Position data obtained by this setting may begenerated and stored. Alternatively, a screen for selecting a positionon the load controller 36 may be displayed on the monitor 34, and theplayer may be made to select in which direction from the player a mark(the power button 36 c) is present, by an input with the controller 22.In accordance with this selection, position data of each load sensor 36b may be generated and stored.

(Game Play)

FIG. 8 illustrates a state when a game is played by using the controller22 and the load controller 36. As shown in FIG. 8, when a game is playedwith the game system 10 by using the controller 22 and the loadcontroller 36, the player stands on the load controller 36 and holds thecontroller 22 with one hand. Specifically, the player stands on the loadcontroller 36 and holds the controller 22 such that the front surface ofthe controller 22 (a side having the light opening 22 d through whichlight is incident on the imaging information calculation section 80taking an image of the light) faces the markers 340 m and 340 n. As isclear from FIG. 1, the markers 340 m and 340 n are arranged along thelateral direction of the screen of the monitor 34. In this state, theplayer performs game operations by changing the position to which thecontroller 22 points, or changing the distance between the controller 22and each of the markers 340 m and 340 n.

FIG. 8 shows the case when the load controller 36 is placed lengthwisewith respect to the screen of the monitor 34 (such that the long sidedirection thereof points toward the screen) and the player's rightshoulder faces the screen of the monitors 34. However, the orientationof the load controller 36 with respect to the screen of the monitor 34and the facing direction of the player can be changed as appropriatedepending on types of games, and, for example, the load controller 36may be oriented crosswise with respect to the screen of the monitor 34(such that the long side direction thereof is parallel to the screen ofthe monitor 34) and the player faces the screen.

(Pointing)

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating viewing angles of the markers 340 m and340 n and the controller 22. As shown in FIG. 9, the markers 340 m and340 n each emit infrared light at a viewing angle θ1. The image pickupelement 80 c of the imaging information calculation section 80 iscapable of receiving light that is incident thereon in a range of aviewing angle θ2 centered at the view line direction of the controller22. For example, the viewing angles θ1 of the markers 340 m and 340 nare 34° (half-value angle), and the viewing angle θ2 of the image pickupelement 80 c is 41°. The player holds the controller 22 such that theimage pickup element 80 c is oriented so as to be capable of receivingthe infrared light from the markers 340 m and 340 n. Specifically, theplayer holds the controller 22 such that at least one of the markers 340m and 340 n is present in the viewing angle θ2 of the image pickupelement 80 c and the controller 22 is present in the viewing angle θ1 ofat least one of the markers 340 m and 340 n. In this state, thecontroller 22 is capable of detecting at least one of the markers 340 mand 340 n. The player can perform game operations by changing theposition and the pointing direction of the controller 22 in a range thatmeets this state.

When the position and the pointing direction of the controller 22 areout of the range, it becomes impossible to perform the game operationsbased on the position and the pointing direction of the controller 22.Hereinafter, this range is referred to as “operable range”.

When the controller 22 is held in the operable range, an image of eachof the markers 340 m and 340 n is taken by the imaging informationcalculation section 80. In other words, a taken image obtained by theimage pickup element 80 c includes the image (target image) of each ofthe markers 340 m and 340 n that are targets whose images are to betaken. FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a taken image includingtarget images. By using imaging data of a taken image including targetimages, the image processing circuit 60 d calculates a coordinate(marker coordinate) representing the position of each of the markers 340m and 340 n in the taken image.

In the imaging data of the taken image, the target images appear asregions that have a high brightness. Thus, first, the image processingcircuit 80 d detects the high brightness regions as candidates of thetarget images. Next, the image processing circuit 80 d determineswhether or not the high brightness regions indicate the target images,based on the sizes of the detected high brightness regions. The takenimage may include images other than the target images due to sunlightincoming through a window and light from a fluorescent lamp in a room,in addition to the images 340 m′ and 340 n′ of the two markers 340 m and340 n that are target images. The process of determining whether or notthe high brightness regions indicate the target images is executed fordistinguishing the images 340 m′ and 340 n′ of the markers 340 m and 340n, which are target images, from the other images, and accuratelydetecting the target images. Specifically, in the determination process,whether or not the detected high brightness regions have a size in apredetermined range is determined. When the high brightness regions havea size in the predetermined range, it is determined that the highbrightness regions indicate target images. When the high brightnessregions do not have a size in the predetermined range, it is determinedthat the high brightness regions indicate images other than the targetimages.

Further, the image processing circuit 80 d calculates the positions ofthe high brightness regions that are determined to indicate the targetimages as the result of the determination process. Specifically, theimage processing circuit 80 d calculates the positions of the centers ofthe high brightness regions. Here, the coordinates of the positions ofthe centers are referred to as marker coordinates. The positions of thecenters can be calculated on a scale smaller than the resolution of theimage pickup element 80 c. Here, the resolution of an image taken by theimage pickup element 80 d is 126×96, and the positions of the centersare calculated on a scale of 1024×768. In other words, the coordinatesof the positions of the centers are represented by integer values of(0,0) to (1024,768).

It is noted that a position in the taken image is represented by acoordinate system (xy coordinate system) whose origin is at the upperleft corner of the taken image, whose y axis positive direction is thedownward direction, and whose x axis positive direction is the rightwarddirection.

When the target images are correctly detected, two high brightnessregions are determined to indicate target images by the determinationprocess, and thus the marker coordinates of two positions arecalculated. The image processing circuit 80 d outputs data indicative ofthe calculated marker coordinates of the two positions. The outputteddata (marker coordinate data) of the marker coordinates is caused to beincluded in input data by the processor 70, and transmitted to the gameapparatus 12 as described above.

When detecting the marker coordinate data from the received input data,the game apparatus 12 (CPU 40) can calculate the pointing position(pointing coordinate) of the controller 22 on the screen of the monitor34 and the distances between the controller 22 and the markers 340 m and340 n based on the marker coordinate data. Specifically, based on theposition of the midpoint between the two marker coordinates, theposition to which the controller 22 points, namely, the pointingposition of the controller 22, is calculated. Thus, the controller 22functions as a pointing device to point an arbitrary position on thescreen of the monitor 34. Because the distance between the target imagesin the taken image changes in accordance with the distances between thecontroller 22 and the markers 340 m and 340 n, it is possible for thegame apparatus 12 to know the distances between the controller 22 andthe markers 340 m and 340 n by calculating the distance between the twomarker coordinates.

FIG. 11 shows an outline of a health guidance support system of thepresent embodiment. The health guidance support system includes ahealthcare professional terminal 90 operated by a healthcareprofessional such as a healthcare nurse and the like, and the gameapparatus 12 operated by a healthcare recipient. As the healthcareprofessional terminal 90, an arbitrary information processing apparatus(e.g. a general-purpose personal computer including a CPU, a mainmemory, a hard disk, an input unit, and an output unit) can be used. Inthe present embodiment, the game apparatus 12 is used as a healthcarerecipient terminal operated by the healthcare recipient. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and an arbitrary informationprocessing apparatus (e.g. a personal computer and the like) may be usedas the healthcare recipient terminal.

The healthcare professional terminal 90 and the game apparatus 12 arecapable of communicating with each other, for example, through theInternet. The healthcare professional terminal 90 creates a questionmessage based on an input operation of the healthcare professional, andtransmits the question message to the game apparatus 12. The questionmessage is a message containing questions that the healthcareprofessional asks the healthcare recipient, for example, for confirmingthe health condition and the number of meals of the healthcarerecipient.

The game apparatus 12 creates an answer message based on an inputoperation of the healthcare recipient, and transmits the answer messageto the healthcare professional terminal 90 together with biologicalinformation of the healthcare recipient. The answer message is a messagecontaining answers to the questions contained in the question messagereceived from the healthcare professional terminal 90. The biologicalinformation is various information useful for health guidance,including: information regarding a body, such as weight, body fatpercentage, and the like; information regarding exercise, such as thenumber of steps taken, exercise time, and the like; and informationregarding vital signs, such as blood pressure, body temperature, heartrate, and the like. The biological information is automaticallytransmitted by the game apparatus 12 when the answer message istransmitted to the healthcare professional terminal 90. Thus, anoperation, such as an operation of attaching the biological informationto the answer message by the healthcare recipient, is not needed.

(Flow of Biological Information)

FIG. 12 shows an example of a flow of biological information. In thepresent embodiment, as the biological information, weight data, exercisetime data, and step count data are transmitted from the game apparatus12 to the healthcare professional terminal 90 together with the answermessage. The weight data is stored as saved data in the flash memory 44of the game apparatus 12 when a weight measuring application program(hereinafter, an application program is referred to merely as anapplication) using the load controller 36 is executed in the gameapparatus 12. The exercise time data is stored as saved data in theflash memory 44 of the game apparatus 12 when an exercise gameapplication using the controller 22 and the load controller 36 isexecuted in the game apparatus 12. It is noted that the weight measuringapplication and the exercise game application may be realized by oneapplication (an application that can cause the CPU 40 to execute aweight measuring process and an exercise game process). The step countdata is transmitted to the game apparatus 12 from a pedometer 92 carriedby the healthcare recipient. A communication method for thecommunication between the pedometer 92 and the game apparatus 12 isarbitrary. For example, the pedometer 92 may communicate with the gameapparatus 12 through a cable, by means of infrared communication, orthrough a hand-held game apparatus.

A health guidance support application is an application for causing thegame apparatus 12 to function as a part of the health guidance supportsystem, and causes the CPU 40 of the game apparatus 12 to execute aprocess of receiving a question message from the healthcare professionalterminal 90, a process of creating an answer message, a process ofobtaining biological information, and a process of transmitting theanswer message and the biological information. The weight data and theexercise time data are obtained from saved data of the weight measuringapplication and the exercise game application, which are stored in theflash memory 44 of the game apparatus 12, and the step count data isobtained from the pedometer 92 by means of communication. When the stepcount data has been already obtained from the pedometer 92 by means ofcommunication and stored in the flash memory 44, the step count data canbe obtained from the flash memory 44.

(Data in Flash Memory)

FIG. 13 shows an example of data in the flash memory 44. In the flashmemory 44, application programs, such as a health guidance supportapplication AP1, a weight measuring application AP2, an exercise gameapplication AP3, and the like, are stored. These application programs donot necessarily need to be stored in the flash memory 44. For example,these application programs may be supplied to the game apparatus 12through a computer-readable storage medium such as an optical disc, amagnetic disc, a memory card, and the like, or may be supplied to thegame apparatus 12 by means of wire or wireless communication. Theapplication programs supplied to the game apparatus 12 may be stored inthe flash memory 44.

In addition to the applications, various data, such as registered userinformation D1, weight measuring application saved data D2, exercisegame application saved data D3, step count data D4, unanswered questionmessage data D5, transmitted answer message data D6, and the like, arestored in the flash memory 44.

The registered user information D1 is information (name, nickname, icon,and the like) regarding the user of the game apparatus 12, and in thepresent embodiment, three users A to C are registered as users of thegame apparatus 12. In other words, as the registered user informationD1, user information D1 a of the user A, user information D1 b of theuser B, and user information D1 c of the user C are stored in the flashmemory 44.

The weight measuring application saved data D2 is saved data that isgenerated or updated when the weight measuring application AP2 isexecuted in the game apparatus 12, and includes weight data of eachuser. Here, the weight measuring application saved data D2 includesweight data D2 a of the user A, weight data D2 b of the user B, andweight data D2 c of the user C. In the weight data, for example,measuring results of a plurality of times for past several months aswell as the latest measuring results are registered together with theirmeasurement dates.

The exercise game application saved data D3 is saved data that isgenerated or updated when the exercise game application AP3 is executedin the game apparatus 12, and includes exercise time data of each user.Here, the exercise game application saved data D3 includes exercise timedata D1 a of the user A, exercise time data D3 b of the user B, andexercise time data D3 c of the user C. In the exercise time data, forexample, measuring results of a plurality of times for past severalmonths as well as the latest measuring results are registered togetherwith their measurement dates.

The step count data D4 is data to be transmitted to the game apparatus12 from the pedometer 92 carried by the user, and is generated orupdated when the step count data is transmitted from the pedometer 92 tothe game apparatus 12. The pedometer 92 has a step count function ofcounting the number of steps taken by the user, a step count datastoring function of storing the counted number of steps and themeasurement data as step count data in a built-in storage unit, and astep count data transmission function of transmitting the step countdata stored in the built-in storage unit to the game apparatus 12. Here,the step count data D4 includes step count data D4 a of the user A, stepcount data D4 b of the user B, and step count data D4 c of the user C.

The unanswered question message data D5 is a group of unansweredquestion messages received by the game apparatus 12 from the healthcareprofessional terminal 90. Upon receiving a question message from thehealthcare professional terminal 90, the game apparatus 12 stores thequestion message as a part of the unanswered question message data D5 inthe flash memory 44.

The transmitted answer message data D6 is a group of answer messagestransmitted from the game apparatus 12 to the healthcare professionalterminal 90.

(Weight Measuring Process in Game Apparatus)

First, an operation of the game apparatus 12 when the weight measuringapplication AP2 is executed in the game apparatus 12 will be described.FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the weight measuringprocess executed by the CPU 40 of the game apparatus 12 in accordancewith the weight measuring application AP2.

When the weight measuring process is started, at a step S10, the CPU 40refers to the registered user information D1, and selects an user whoseweight is to be measured, from among the users registered to the gameapparatus 12. The selection of the user is performed based on an inputoperation (e.g. an input signal from the controller 22) of the user. Itis noted that when the user whose weight is to be measured has not beenregistered to the game apparatus 12, a process of registering the useris executed according to need.

At a step S11, the CPU 40 determines, based on a signal from the loadcontroller 36, whether or not the load controller 36 has detected aload. Then, when the load controller 36 has detected a load, theprocessing proceeds to a step S12. When the load controller 36 has notdetected a load, the CPU 40 waits until a load is detected.

At the step S12, the CPU 40 measures, based on the signal from the loadcontroller 36, the weight of the user standing on the load controller36.

At a step S13, the CPU 40 stores the weight measured at the step S12together with the measurement date as weight data of the weighed user(i.e. the user selected at the step S10) in the flash memory 44. It isnoted that when weight data of the user has been present in the flashmemory 44, the latest measuring result is added to the weight data.Then, the weight measuring process ends.

(Exercise Time Measuring Process in Game Apparatus)

The following will describe an operation of the game apparatus 12 whenthe exercise game application AP3 is executed in the game apparatus 12.FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an exercise time measuringprocess executed by the CPU 40 of the game apparatus 12 in accordancewith the exercise game application AP3.

When the exercise time measuring process is started, at a step S20, theCPU 40 refers to the registered user information D1, and selects a userwho is to play an exercise game, from among the users registered to thegame apparatus 12. The selection of the user is performed based on aninput operation (e.g. an input signal from the controller 22) of theuser. It is noted that when the user who is to play the exercise gamehas not been registered to the game apparatus 12, the process ofregistering the user is executed according to need.

At a step S21, the CPU 40 starts the exercise game using the controller22 or the load controller 36. Examples of the exercise game include: aboxing game in which a player shadow-boxes holding the controllers 22with his or her hands; a hiking game in which a player repeatedly stepson the load controller 36; and the like.

At a step S22, the CPU 40 starts counting an exercise time.

At a step S23, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the exercise gamehas ended. When the exercise game has ended, the processing proceeds toa step S24. When the exercise game continues, the CPU 40 waits until theexercise game ends.

At the step S24, the CPU 40 stops counting the exercise time.

At a step S25, the CPU 40 stores the counted exercise time together withthe measurement date as exercise time data of the user who plays theexercise game (i.e. the user selected at the step S20) in the flashmemory 44. It is noted that when exercise time data of the user has beenpresent in the flash memory 44, the latest measuring result is added tothe exercise time data. Then, the exercise time measuring process endsInstead of storing the counted exercise time as exercise time data, avalue obtained by multiplying the counted exercise time by a coefficientaccording to an exercise load exerted on the user playing the exercisegame may be stored as exercise time data.

(Question Process in Healthcare Professional Terminal)

The following will describe an operation of the game apparatus 12 when aquestion message creation application is executed in the healthcareprofessional terminal 90. The question message creation application istypically supplied to the healthcare professional terminal 90 through acomputer-readable storage medium such as an optical disc and the like orthrough the Internet, and installed in a hard disk of the healthcareprofessional terminal 90. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a procedure ofa question process executed by the CPU of the healthcare professionalterminal 90 in accordance with the question message creationapplication.

When the question process is started, at a step S30, the CPU of thehealthcare professional terminal 90 selects a format of a question or amessage to be created, based on an input operation by the healthcareprofessional. In the present embodiment, a question message transmittedfrom the healthcare professional terminal 90 to the game apparatus 12contains a group of one or more questions or messages. Specifically, thehealthcare professional can create a question message by combiningarbitrarily a “multiple-choice question”, “character-input-typequestion”, a “numeric-input-type question”, and a “message” according toneed. The “multiple-choice question” is a question including a questionsection Q1 and a choice section A1 as shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 25 shows animage that is displayed on the monitor 34 when the user of the gameapparatus 12 answers the “multiple-choice question”. The“character-input-type question” is a question including a questionsection Q2 and a character input section A2 as shown in FIG. 26. The“numeric-input-type question” is a question including a question sectionQ3 and a numeric input section A3 as shown in FIG. 27. The “message” isa message including only a message section M1 as shown in FIG. 24.

At a step S31, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90determines whether or not the format selected at the step S30 is the“multiple-choice question”, When the format is the “multiple-choicequestion”, the CPU of the processing proceeds to a step S32. When theformat is not the “multiple-choice question”, the processing proceeds toa step S33.

At the step S32, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90executes a multiple-choice question creation process. Specifically, inaccordance with an input operation by the healthcare professional, theCPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90 creates a sentence in thequestion section Q1 and choices in the choice section A1 as shown inFIG. 25. Then, the processing proceeds to a step S38.

At the step S33, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90determines whether or not the format selected at the step S30 is the“character-input-type question”. When the format is the“character-input-type question”, the processing proceeds to a step S34.When the format is not the “character-input-type question”, theprocessing proceeds to a step S35.

At the step S34, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90executes a character-input-type question creation process. Specifically,in accordance with an input operation by the healthcare professional,the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90 creates a sentence inthe question section Q2 as shown in FIG. 26. Then, the processingproceeds to the step S38.

At the step S35, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90determines whether or not the format selected at the step S30 is the“numeric-input-type question”. When the format is the“numeric-input-type question”, the processing proceeds to a step S36.When the format is not the “numeric-input-type question”, the processingproceeds to a step S37.

At the step S36, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90executes a numeric-input-type question creation process. Specifically,in accordance with an input operation by the healthcare professional,the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90 creates sentences inthe question section Q3 and phrases in the numeric input section A3 asshown in FIG. 27. Then, the processing proceeds to the step S38.

At the step S37, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90executes a message creation process. Specifically, in accordance with aninput operation by the healthcare professional, the CPU of thehealthcare professional terminal 90 creates sentences in the messagesection M1 as shown in FIG. 24. Then, the processing proceeds to thestep S38.

At the step S38, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90determines, based on an input operation by the healthcare professional,whether or not to create the next question or message. When the CPU ofthe healthcare professional terminal 90 creates the next question ormessage, the processing returns to the step S30. When the CPU of thehealthcare professional terminal 90 does not create the next question ormessage, the processing proceeds to a step S39.

At the step S39, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90determines, based on an input operation by the healthcare professional,whether to transmit the created question message to the game apparatus12 of the healthcare recipient. When the CPU of the healthcareprofessional terminal 90 transmits the created question message, theprocessing proceeds to a step S40. When the CPU of the healthcareprofessional terminal 90 does not transmit the created question message,the question process ends.

At the step S40, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90generates a transmission file by forming the created question message (agroup of one or more questions or messages) into one file.

At a step S41, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90transmits the transmission file generated at the step S40 to the gameapparatus 12 of the healthcare recipient. Then, the question processends. Regarding transmission of a file from the healthcare professionalterminal 90 to the game apparatus 12, for example, a generatedtransmission file can be transmitted as an attached file of an e-mailmessage by using a general transfer protocol of. In this case, thee-mail message may be blank or a fixed phrase may be contained in thee-mail message.

(Main Process in Game Apparatus)

The following will describe an operation of the game apparatus 12 whenthe health guidance support application AP1 is executed in the gameapparatus 12. FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a mainprocess executed by the CPU 40 of the game apparatus 12 in accordancewith the health guidance support application AP1.

When the main process is started, at a step S50, the CPU 40 refers tothe registered user information D1, and selects a user who is to use thehealth guidance support application, from among the users registered tothe game apparatus 12. The selection of the user is performed based onan input operation (e.g. an input signal from the controller 22) of theuser. It is noted that when the user who is to use the health guidancesupport application has not been registered to the game apparatus 12,the process of registering the user is executed according to need.

At a step S51, the CPU 40 loads data (unanswered question message dataD5 to the user, and the like) of the user, selected at the step S50,from the flash memory 44 to the internal main memory 42 e according toneed.

At a step S52, the CPU 40 displays a menu screen on the monitor 34. Inthe menu screen, for example, an “ANSWER QUESTION!” button B1, a “SENDE-MAIL” button 52, a “ANSWER RECORD” button B3, and a “RECEIVE STEPCOUNT DATA” button B4 are displayed as shown in FIG. 23. The user canmove a pointer P on the screen by operating the controller 22 forselecting a desired button from among these buttons.

At a step S53, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “ANSWERQUESTION!” button B1 has been selected. When the “ANSWER QUESTION!”button B1 has been selected, the processing proceeds to a step S54. Whenthe “ANSWER QUESTION!” button B1 has not been selected, the processingproceeds to a step S55.

At the step S54, the CPU 40 executes an answer process. The answerprocess is a process of creating an answer message to a question messagefrom the healthcare professional, and of transmitting the answer messageto the healthcare professional terminal 90. The answer process will bedescribed in detail later. When the answer process ends, the processingreturns to the step S52.

At the step S55, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “SEND E-MAIL”button B2 has been selected. When the “SEND E-MAIL” button 132 has beenselected, the processing proceeds to a step S56. When the “SEND E-MAIL”button B2 has not been selected, the processing proceeds to a step S57.

At the step S56, the CPU 40 executes an e-mail transmission process. Thee-mail transmission process is a process of creating a message(discussion about health maintenance) to the healthcare professionalbased on an input operation (e.g. an input signal from the controller22) of the user, and of transmitting the message to the healthcareprofessional terminal 90. When the e-mail transmission process ends, theprocessing returns to the step S52.

At the step S57, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “ANSWERRECORD” button B3 has been selected. When the “ANSWER RECORD” button B3has been selected, the processing proceeds to a step S58. When the“ANSWER RECORD” button B3 has not been selected, the processing proceedsto a step S59.

At the step S58, the CPU 40 executes an answer record display process.The answer record display process is a process for the user to freelyview the transmitted answer message data D6 stored in the flash memory44. Thus, according to need, the user can confirm the contents of answermessages transmitted previously. When the answer record display processends, the processing returns to the step S52.

At the step S59, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “RECEIVE STEPCOUNT DATA” button B4 has been selected. When the “RECEIVE STEP COUNTDATA” button B4 has been selected, the processing proceeds to a stepS60. When the “RECEIVE STEP COUNT DATA” button B4 has not been selected,the processing returns to the step S52.

At the step S60, the CPU 40 executes a step count data receptionprocess. The step count data reception process is a process oftransferring the step count data stored in the pedometer 92 to the flashmemory 44 of the game apparatus 12. The step count data receptionprocess will be described in detail later. When the step count datareception process ends, the processing returns to the step S52.

(Answer Process in Game Apparatus)

The following will describe in detail the answer process at the step S54in FIG. 17 with reference to FIGS. 18 to 22.

When the answer process is started, at a step S70, the CPU 40 selects aquestion message to the user currently operating the game apparatus 12as a to-be-answered question message from the unanswered questionmessage data D5 stored in the flash memory 44. The CPU 40 reads out fromthe flash memory 44 the first question or message among the one or morequestions or messages contained ins the to-be-answered question message.

At a step S71, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the question ormessage read out from the flash memory 44 is a “multiple-choicequestion”. When the question or message is a “multiple-choice question”,the processing proceeds to a step S72 When the question or message isnot a “multiple-choice question”, the processing proceeds to a step S73.

At the step S72, the CPU 40 executes a multiple-choice answer process.The multiple-choice answer process is a process of displaying the“multiple-choice question” to the user, and of causing the user to inputan answer to the question. The multiple-choice answer process will bedescribed in detail later. When the multiple-choice answer process ends,the processing proceeds to a step S78.

At the step S73, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the question ormessage read out from the flash memory 44 is a “character-input-typequestion”. When the question or message is a “character-input-typequestion”, the processing proceeds to a step S74. When the question ormessage is a “character-input-type question”, the processing proceeds toa step S75.

At the step S74, the CPU 40 executes a character-input-type answerprocess. The character-input-type answer process is a process ofdisplaying the “character-input-type question” to the user, and ofcausing the user to input an answer to the question. Thecharacter-input-type answer process will be described in detail later.When the character-input-type answer process ends, the processingproceeds to the step S78.

At the step S75, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the question ormessage read out from the flash memory 44 is a “numeric-input-typequestion”. When the question or message is a “numeric-input-typequestion”, the processing proceeds to a step S76. When the question ormessage is not a “numeric-input-type question”, the processing proceedsto a step S77.

At the step S76, the CPU 740 executes a numeric-input-type answerprocess. The numeric-input-type answer process is a process ofdisplaying the “numeric-input-type question” to the user, and of causingthe user to input an answer to the question. The numeric-input-typeanswer process will be described in detail later. When thenumeric-input-type answer process ends, the processing proceeds to thestep S78.

At the step S77, the CPU 40 executes a message display process. Themessage display process is a process of displaying a “message” to theuser. The message display process will be described in detail later.When the message display process ends, the processing proceeds to thestep S78.

At the step S78, the CPU 40 determines whether or not there is the nextquestion or message in the current to-be-answered question message. Whenthere is the next question or message, the processing proceeds to a stepS79. When there is not the next question or message (i.e. when inputs ofanswers to all the questions or messages contained in the to-be-answeredquestion message have been completed), the processing proceeds to a stepS80.

At the step S79, the CPU 40 reads out from the flash memory 44 the nextquestion or message contained in the current to-be-answered questionmessage. Then, the processing proceeds to a step S71.

At the step S80, the CPU 40 displays a sending confirmation screen onthe monitor 34, for example, as shown in FIG. 28. The user looks at alist of answer contents being displayed in the sending confirmationscreen to confirm the contents of the answer message. If there is noneed to change the contents of the answer message, the user selects a“SEND” button B8 by using the pointer P. If the user desires to changethe contents of the answer message, the user selects a “BACK” button B7by using the pointer P.

At a step S81, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “SEND” button B8has been selected. When the “SEND” button 38 has been selected, theprocessing proceeds to a step S82. When the “SEND” button B8 has notbeen selected, the processing proceeds to a step S85.

At the step S82, the CPU 40 reads out from the flash memory 44biological information of the user (i.e. the user selected at the stepS50 in FIG. 17) currently operating the game apparatus 12. For example,when the user currently operating the game apparatus 12 is the user B,the CPU 40 reads out the weight data D2 b, the exercise time data D3 b,and the step count data D4 b of the user B which are stored in the flashmemory 44. At this time, if information of measurement dates has beenadded to the biological information stored in the flash memory 44, theCPU 40 may read out only biological information measured during a pastconstant period (e.g. during the past one month). In the presentembodiment, the biological information is obtained from the flash memory44. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and thebiological information may be obtained from another storage unit insideor outside the game apparatus 12.

At a step S83, the CPU 40 generates a transmission file by combining thecreated answer message and the biological information, read out from theflash memory 44 at the step S82, into one file.

At a step S84, the CPU 40 transmits the transmission file generated atthe step S83 to the healthcare professional terminal 90. Then, theanswer process ends. Regarding transmission of a file from the gameapparatus 12 to the healthcare professional terminal 90, for example, agenerated transmission file can be transmitted as an attached file of ane-mail message by using a general transfer protocol of e-mail. In thiscase, the e-mail message may be blank or a fixed phrase may be containedin the e-mail message.

At the step S85, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “BACK” buttonB7 has been selected. When the “BACK” button B7 has been selected, theprocessing proceeds to a step S86. When the “BACK” button B7 has notbeen selected, the processing returns to the step S80.

At the step S86, the CPU 40 reads out again from the flash memory 44 thefinal question or message contained in the current to-be-answeredquestion message. Then, the processing returns to the step S71. When the“BACK” button B7 is selected in the sending confirmation screen, thedisplay may return to the first question or message instead of returningto the final question or message.

(Multiple-Choice Answer Process in Game Apparatus)

The following will describe in detail the multiple-choice answer processat the step S72 in FIG. 18 with reference to FIG. 19.

When the multiple-choice answer process is started, at a step S90, theCPU 40 displays a multiple-choice answer screen as shown in FIG. 25. Themultiple-choice answer screen includes the question section Q1, thechoice section A1, a “PREVIOUS” button B5, and a “NEXT” button B6.

At a step S91, the CPU 40 determines whether or not any one of thechoices displayed in the choice section A1 has been selected by theuser. When any one of the choices has been selected, the processingproceeds to a step S92. When any one of the choices has not beenselected, the processing proceeds to a step S93. The selection of thechoice by the user is performed by operating the controller 22.

At the step S92, the CPU 40 highlights the choice selected by the user.Then, the processing returns to the step S90. Examples of thehighlighting include putting a checkmark to the head of the designatedchoice as shown in FIG. 25; and changing the font color or thebackground color of the designated choice.

At the step S93, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “NEXT” button”button B6 has been selected by the user. When the “NEXT” button” buttonB6 has been selected, the multiple-choice answer process ends, and theprocessing proceeds to the step S78 in FIG. 18. When the “NEXT” button”button B6 has not been selected, the processing proceeds to a step S4.

At the step S94, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “PREVIOUS”button B5 is selected by the user. When the “PREVIOUS” button B5 isselected, the processing proceeds to a step S95. When the “PREVIOUS”button B5 is not selected, the processing returns to the step S90.

At the step S95, the CPU 40 determines whether or not there is aprevious question or message in the current to-be-answered questionmessage. When there is a previous question or message, the processingproceeds to a step S96. When there is not a previous question or message(i.e. when the question or message being currently displayed is thefirst question or message in the current to-be-answered questionmessage), the multiple-choice answer process ends, and the processingreturns to the step S52 (i.e. the display returns to the menu displayscreen).

At the step S96, the CPU 40 reads out from the flash memory 44 theprevious question or message contained in the current to-be-answeredquestion message. Then, the multiple-choice answer process ends, and theprocessing returns to the step S71 in FIG. 18.

(Character-Input-Type Answer Process in Game Apparatus)

The following will describe in detail the character-input-type answerprocess at the step S74 in FIG. 18 with reference to FIG. 20.

When the character-input-type answer process is started, at a step S100,the CPU 40 displays the character-input-type answer screen as shown inFIG. 26. The character-input-type answer screen includes the questionsection Q2, the character input section A2, the “PREVIOUS” button B5,and the “NEXT” button B6.

At a step S101, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the character inputsection A2 has been designated by the user. When the character inputsection A2 has been designated, the processing proceeds to a step S102.When the character input section A2 has not been designated, theprocessing proceeds to a step S103. The designation of the characterinput section A2 by the user is performed by operating the controller22.

At the step S102, the CPU 40 accepts a character input performed by theuser using a software keyboard. Then, the processing returns to the stepS100. The character input using the software keyboard is performed bythe user designating sequentially desired keys in the keyboard displayedon the screen by using the pointer P.

At the step S103, the CPU 40 determines the “NEXT” button 36 has beenselected by the user. When the “NEXT” button 36 has been selected, thecharacter-input-type answer process ends, and the processing proceeds tothe step S78 in FIG. 18. When the “NEXT” button B6 has not beenselected, the processing proceeds to a step S104.

At the step S104, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “PREVIOUS”button B5 has been selected by the user. When the “PREVIOUS” button 35has been selected, the processing proceeds to a step S015. When the“PREVIOUS” button B5 has not been selected, the processing returns tothe step S100.

At the step S105, the CPU 40 determines whether or not there is aprevious question or message in the current to-be-answered questionmessage. When there is a previous question or message, the processingproceeds to a step S106. Where there is not a previous question ormessage, the character-input-type answer process ends, and theprocessing proceeds to the step S52 in FIG. 17.

At the step S106, the CPU 40 reads out form the flash memory 44 theprevious question or message contained in the current to-be-answeredquestion message. Then, the character-input-type answer process ends,and the processing returns to the step S71 in FIG. 18.

(Numeric-Input-Type Answer Process in Game Apparatus)

The following will describe in detail the numeric-input-type answerprocess at the step S76 in FIG. 18 with reference to FIG. 21.

When the numeric-input-type answer process is started, at a step S110,the CPU 40 displays a numeric-input-type answer screen as shown in FIG.27. The numeric-input-type answer screen includes the question sectionQ3, the numeric input section A3, the “PREVIOUS” button B5, and the“NEXT” button B6.

At a step S111, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the numeric inputsection A3 has been designated by the user. When the numeric inputsection A3 has been designated, the processing proceeds to a step S112.When the numeric input section A3 has not been designated, theprocessing proceeds to a step S113. The designation of the numeric inputsection A3 by the user is performed by operating the controller 22.

At the step S112, the CPU 40 accepts a numeric input from the user usinga software keyboard (only a numeric keypad). Then, the processingreturns to the step S110. The numeric input using the software keyboardis performed by the user designating sequentially desired keys in thenumeric keypad displayed on the screen by using the pointer P.

At the step S113, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “NEXT” button36 has been selected by the user. When the “NEXT” button B6 has beenselected, the numeric-input-type answer process ends, and the processingproceeds to the step S78 in FIG. 18. When the “NEXT” button 36 has notbeen selected, the processing proceeds to a step S114.

At the step S114, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “PREVIOUS”button B5 has been selected by the user. When the “PREVIOUS” button B5has been selected, the processing proceeds to a step S115. When the“PREVIOUS” button 35 has not been selected, the processing returns tothe step S110.

At the step S115, the CPU 40 determines whether or not a previousquestion or message in the current to-be-answered question message. Whenthere is a previous question or message, the processing proceeds to astep S116. When there is not a previous question or message, thenumeric-input-type answer process ends, and the processing returns tothe step S52 in FIG. 17.

At the step S116, the CPU 40 reads out from the flash memory 44 theprevious question or message contained in the current to-be-answeredquestion message. Then, the numeric-input-type answer process ends, andthe processing returns to the step S71 in FIG. 18.

(Message Display Process In Game Apparatus)

The following will describe in detail the message display process at thestep S77 in FIG. 18 with reference to FIG. 22.

When the message display process is started, at a step S120, the CPU 40displays a message display screen as shown in FIG. 24. The messagedisplay screen includes the message section M1, the “PREVIOUS” button35, and the “NEXT” button 86.

At a step S121, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “NEXT” buttonB6 has been selected by the user. When the “NEXT” button BE has beenselected, the message display process ends, and the processing proceedsto the step S78 in FIG. 18. When the “NEXT” button B6 has not beenselected, the processing proceeds to a step S122.

At the step S122, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the “PREVIOUS”button 35 has been selected by the user. When the “PREVIOUS” button 35has been selected, the processing proceeds to a step S123. When the“PREVIOUS” button B5 has not been selected, the processing returns tothe step S120.

At the step S123, the CPU 40 determines whether or not there is aprevious question or message in the current to-be-answered questionmessage. When there is a previous question or message, the processingproceeds to a step S124. When there is not a previous question ormessage, the message display process ends, and the processing returns tothe step S52 in FIG. 17.

At the step S124, the CPU 40 reads out from the flash memory 44 theprevious question or message contained in the current to-be-answeredquestion message. Then, the message display process ends, and theprocessing returns to the step S71 in FIG. 18.

In the flow charts of FIGS. 19 and 21, even when the choice selection,character input, or numeric input has not been performed, the processingcan proceed to the next question or message by the user selecting the“NEXT” button B6. However, the processing may not be capable ofproceeding to the next question or message unless the choice selection,character input, or numeric input has been performed (e.g. the “Next”button” button 36 is grayed out until the choice selection, characterinput, or numeric input is performed).

(Step Count Data Reception Process in Game Apparatus)

The following will describe in detail the step count data receptionprocess at the step S60 in FIG. 17 with reference to FIG. 29.

When the step count data reception process is started, at a step S130,the CPU 40 starts communication with the pedometer 92.

At a step S131, the CPU 40 receives step count data from the pedometer92. At this time, the CPU 40 may receive all step count data stored inthe pedometer 92, or may receive only a part of step count data storedin the pedometer 92 (e.g. the step count data and the step count datameasured during a predetermined period (e.g. during the past one month)of the user (i.e. the user selected at the step S50 in FIG. 17)currently operating the game apparatus 12.

At a step S132, the CPU 40 stores the step count data, received from thepedometer 92, in the flash memory 44.

At a step S133, the CPU 40 ends the communication with the pedometer 92.Then, the step count data reception process ends.

(Answer Reception Process in Healthcare Professional Terminal)

The following will describe an operation of the healthcare professionalterminal 90 when an answer message reception application is executed inthe healthcare professional terminal 90. The answer message receptionapplication is typically supplied to the healthcare professionalterminal 90 through a computer-readable storage medium such as anoptical disc and the like or through the Internet, and installed in thehard disk of the healthcare professional terminal 90. The function ofthe aforementioned question message creation application and thefunction of the answer message reception application may be realized byone application. FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing a procedure of ananswer reception process executed by the CPU of the healthcareprofessional terminal 90 in accordance with the answer message receptionapplication.

When the answer reception process is started, at a step S140, the CPU ofthe healthcare professional terminal 90 accesses a mail server, anddetermines whether or not the mail server has received an answer messagefrom the healthcare recipient (i.e. the game apparatus 12). When themail server has received an answer message from the healthcarerecipient, the processing proceeds to a step S141. When the mail serverhas not received any answer messages from the healthcare recipient, theprocessing proceeds to a step S143.

At the step S141, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90receives the answer message (specifically, a file including an answermessage and biological information as described above) received by themail server from the healthcare recipient.

At a step S142, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90stores the answer message received at the step S141 in the hard disk ofthe healthcare professional terminal 90.

At the step S143, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90displays a list of answer messages, stored in the hard disk, on themonitor of the healthcare professional terminal 90.

At a step S144, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90determines whether or not there is a view request from the operator (thehealthcare professional) for any one of the answer messages in the listdisplayed on the monitor. When there is a view request for any one ofthe answer messages, the processing proceeds to a step S145. When thereis not a view request for any one of the answer messages, the answerreception process ends.

At the step S145, the CPU of the healthcare professional terminal 90displays the answer message, for which the view request is performed bythe operator, on the monitor together with the corresponding biologicalinformation.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the answermessage to the question message from the healthcare professional istransmitted from the game apparatus 12 to the healthcare professionalterminal 90, the biological information of the healthcare recipient isautomatically read out from the flash memory 44 and transmitted to thehealthcare professional terminal 90 together with the answer message.Thus, when the healthcare recipient transmits the answer message,inputting of the biological information is omitted, and the biologicalinformation is assuredly transmitted. In addition, because thehealthcare professional can fully confirm the biological informationrequired for health guidance, the healthcare professional can properlyand efficiently perform health guidance.

The present embodiment has described the case where the load controller36 and the pedometer 92 are used as apparatuses for measuring biologicalinformation. The present invention is not limited thereto. For example,biological information (blood pressure data and body temperature data)may be obtained from a blood-pressure gauge and a clinical thermometer.

Further, in the present embodiment, the game apparatus 12 obtainsbiological information from an external apparatus such as the loadcontroller 36 and the pedometer 92. However, the present invention isnot limited thereto, and the game apparatus 12 may have a biologicalinformation measuring function. As such a game apparatus, for example,there is a game apparatus having a load sensor for measuring a loadexerted by the user standing on the game apparatus.

Further, for the communication between the game apparatus 12 and theload controller 36 and the communication between the game apparatus 12and the pedometer 92, arbitrary communication methods (e.g. theBluetooth, infrared communication, other wireless communication methods,wire communication methods, public communication lines such as theInternet, wired lines such as cable) can be used.

Further, the present embodiment has described the case where ageneral-purpose personal computer is used as the healthcare professionalterminal 90 and the game apparatus 12 is used as the healthcarerecipient terminal. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto, arbitrary information processing apparatuses (personalcomputers, stationary game apparatuses, hand-held game machines, mobilephones, PDAs) can be used as the healthcare professional terminal andthe healthcare recipient terminal.

Further, in the present embodiment, transmission and reception ofmessages (a question message and an answer message) between the gameapparatus 12 and the healthcare professional terminal 90 are performedby using a well-known protocol of e-mail. However, the present inventionis not limited thereto, and another method using the Internet or a wireor wireless communication method may be used.

Further, the data structures of a question message and an answer messageare not limited to the structures described in the above embodiment, andarbitrary data structures can be used. The formats of a question and amessage are not limited to “multiple-choice question”,“character-input-type question”, “numeric-input-type question”, and“message” which are described in the above embodiment.

Further, the present embodiment has described the case where an answermessage and biological information are combined into one file. However,the present invention is not limited thereto.

Further, the present embodiment has described the health guidancesupport system in which a healthcare nurse or the like performs healthguidance for a healthcare recipient. However, the present invention isnot limited thereto, and is also applicable to purposes other thanhealth guidance.

While the invention has been described in detail, the foregoingdescription is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It isunderstood that numerous other modifications and variations can bedevised without departing from the scope of the invention,

What is claimed is:
 1. A biological information management systemcomprising a first information processing apparatus and a secondinformation processing apparatus configured to communicate with thefirst information processing apparatus, the first information processingapparatus including: biological information obtaining unit configured toobtain biological information; first message creation unit configured tocreate a first message based on an input operation of an operator of thefirst information processing apparatus; and first message transmissionunit configured to transmit the biological information obtained by thebiological information obtaining unit and the first message created bythe first message creation unit to the second information processingapparatus, the second information processing apparatus including: firstmessage reception unit configured to receive the biological informationand the first message from the first information processing apparatus;and a storage unit configured to store the biological information andthe first message which are received by the first message receptionunit, wherein the first message creation unit is further configured togenerate a transmission request that instructs the first messagetransmission unit to transmit the first message to the secondinformation processing apparatus, and the first message transmissionunit is further configured to, in response to receiving the transmissionrequest, obtain the biological information and then transmit the firstmessage and the biological information to the second informationprocessing apparatus.
 2. The biological information management systemaccording to claim 1, wherein upon receiving a transmission instructionof the first message from the operator of the first informationprocessing apparatus, the first message transmission unit is configuredto automatically obtains the biological information by the biologicalinformation obtaining unit and to transmit the obtained biologicalinformation together with the first message to the second informationprocessing apparatus.
 3. The biological information management systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a biological informationmeasuring apparatus including: biological information measuring unitconfigured to measure biological information; and biological informationtransmission unit configured to transmit the biological informationmeasured by the biological information measuring unit to the firstinformation processing apparatus, wherein the biological informationobtaining unit includes a biological information reception unitconfigured to receive the biological information from the biologicalinformation measuring apparatus.
 4. The biological informationmanagement system according to claim 3, wherein the biologicalinformation measuring unit is further configured to measure a weight, orcount the number of steps taken, as the biological information.
 5. Thebiological information management system according to claim 3, wherein:the first information processing apparatus further includes a processorfor executing a process using the biological information measuring unit,and a process time counting unit configured to count a time of theprocess executed by the processor; and the biological informationobtaining unit is further configured to obtain the time counted by theprocess time counting unit.
 6. The biological information managementsystem according to claim 1, wherein the biological informationobtaining unit includes a biological information measuring unitconfigured to measure biological information.
 7. The biologicalinformation management system according to claim 1, wherein: the firstinformation processing apparatus further includes a storage unitconfigured to store the biological information obtained by thebiological information obtaining unit and measurement date informationof the biological information; and the first message transmission unitrefers to the measurement date information and is configured to transmitbiological information of a predetermined period.
 8. The biologicalinformation management system according to claim 1, wherein the firstmessage transmission unit is configured to transmit the biologicalinformation and the first message as one file to the second informationprocessing apparatus.
 9. The biological information management systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the biological information isnon-cognitive physical information the system acquires about theoperator's body and the user input is cognitive information the operatorvoluntarily provides in response to a question.
 10. The biologicalinformation management system according to claim 1, wherein the firstmessage transmission unit is configured to send the first message andthe biological information to the second information processingapparatus in a single file.
 11. The biological information managementsystem according to claim 1, wherein the system includes a handhelddevice operable to provide information to the first message creationunit for use in creation of the first message, and a second device thatis operable to, at least temporarily, be in contact with the operator'sfeet in order to obtain the biological information.
 12. The biologicalinformation management system according to claim 1, wherein thebiological information is obtainable by the biological informationobtaining unit of the first information processing apparatus fromanother information processing apparatus.
 13. The biological informationmanagement system according to claim 1, wherein the biologicalinformation is obtainable by the first message transmission unit of thefirst information processing apparatus from a memory thereof.
 14. Thebiological information management system according to claim 1, wherein:the second information processing apparatus further includes: secondmessage creation unit configured to create a second message based on aninput operation of an operation of the second information processingapparatus; and second message transmission unit configured to transmitthe second message created by the second message creation unit to thefirst information processing apparatus; the first information processingapparatus further includes: second message reception unit configured toreceive the second message from the second information processingapparatus; and the first message creation unit configured to create thefirst message based on the second message received by the second messagereception unit.
 15. The biological information management systemaccording to claim 14, wherein: the second message is a questionmessage; the first information processing apparatus further includes aquestion execution unit configured to execute a question based on thequestion message received by the second message reception unit; and thefirst message creation unit is configured to create, as the firstmessage, an answer message to the question executed by the questionexecution unit.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring a computer program for a biological information managementsystem comprising a first information processing apparatus and a secondinformation processing apparatus configured to communicate with thefirst information processing apparatus, the computer program causing acomputer of the first information processing apparatus to execute:obtaining biological information; creating a first message based on aninput operation of an operator of the first information processingapparatus; generating a request to transmit the first message to thesecond information processing apparatus; and transmitting, in responseto the generated request, the obtained biological information and thecreated first message to the second information processing apparatus.17. An information processing apparatus used as a first informationprocessing apparatus in a biological information management systemcomprising the first information processing apparatus and a secondinformation processing apparatus configured to communicate with thefirst information processing apparatus, the information processingapparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to saidprocessor, said memory storing instructions that, when executed by saidprocessor, control said processor to: obtain biological information;create a first message based on an input operation of an operator of thefirst information processing apparatus; generate a request to transmitthe first message to the second information processing apparatus; andtransmit, in response to the generated request, the obtained biologicalinformation and the created first message to the second informationprocessing apparatus.
 18. A health guidance support system for ahealthcare professional to perform health guidance for a healthcarerecipient, the health guidance support system comprising: a healthcareprofessional terminal configured for operation by the healthcareprofessional; and a healthcare recipient terminal configured foroperation by the healthcare recipient and configured to communicate withthe healthcare professional terminal, the healthcare professionalterminal including: question message creation unit configured to createa question message in accordance with an input operation of thehealthcare professional; and question message transmission unitconfigured to transmit the question message from the healthcareprofessional terminal to the healthcare recipient terminal, thehealthcare recipient terminal including: question message reception unitconfigured to receive the question message from the healthcareprofessional terminal; question message displaying unit configured todisplay the received question message to the healthcare recipient;answer message creation unit configured to create an answer message tothe question message in accordance with an input operation of thehealthcare recipient; and answer message transmission unit configuredto, upon receiving a transmission instruction from the healthcarerecipient, automatically obtain biological information regarding healthof the healthcare recipient from a storage unit that is provided in orconnected to the healthcare recipient terminal, and transmit thebiological information together with the created answer message to thehealthcare professional terminal, the healthcare professional terminalfurther including: answer message reception unit configured to receivethe answer message together with the biological information from thehealthcare recipient terminal; and answer message displaying unitconfigured to display the received answer message and the biologicalinformation to the healthcare professional.
 19. The health guidancesupport system according to claim 18, wherein: the healthcare recipientterminal is a game apparatus; and the answer message transmission unitis configured to obtain the biological information regarding the healthof the healthcare recipient from saved data of a game executedpreviously in the healthcare recipient terminal.
 20. A method ofoperating a biological information management system comprising a firstinformation processing apparatus and a second information processingapparatus configured to communicate with the first informationprocessing apparatus, the method comprising: obtaining biologicalinformation; creating a first message based on an input operation of anoperator of the first information processing apparatus; generating arequest to transmit the first message to the second informationprocessing apparatus; and transmitting, in response to the generatedrequest, the obtained biological information and the created firstmessage to the second information processing apparatus.